Forensics 2-3

Testimonial Evidence

statement made under oath

Direct Evidence

First sight evidence

Prima Facie

first sight

Physical Evidence

object or material that is relevant in a crime

Indirect Evidence

Hair, fibers, fingerprints, documents, blood, soil, drugs, impressions, glass

Factors that affect accurancy

nature of the offense, characteristics of the witness, and the manner in which the info was retrieved

Characteristics of Physical Evidence

more reliable than testimonial evidence, proves a crime is committed, helps link a suspect with a victim

Characteristics of Indirect Evidence

evidence proving only a basis for inference about the disputed fact

Circumstantial Evidence

evidence based on suggestion rather than personal knowledge on observation

Reconstruction

Physical evidence that can be used to answer the questions

1. What took place at a crime scene?

2. The number of people involved

Transient Evidence

temporary, easily changed, or lost typically observed by the first officer at the scene

Pattern Evidence

Produced by direct contact between a person and an object or two

Conditional Evidence

produced by a specific event or action

Transfer Evidence

produced by contact between persons and objects

Associative Evidence

something that may associate a victim or suspect with something

Individual Evidence

can be identified with a particular person or a specific source

Class Evidence

common to a group of objects or persons

Recognition

the ability to distinguish important evidence from unrelated material

Preservation

The ability to preserve an item of evidence

Identification

uses scientific testing

• physical properties

• chemical

comparison

compare evidence

Individualization

shows a sample is unique

Interpretation

gives meaning to all info

Top reasons for committing a crime

• money

• revenge

• emotion

  • anger

  • hate

  • love

Source of Evidence

body, crime scene, and suspect

Corpus Delicti

Body of the Crime

most important part of processing a crime scene

taking notes to help remember details

Photographs and Videotapes

captures what people miss and take phots to clarify the scene

Line Method

used in large or outdoor scenes

Grid method

double line search

Zone method

most effective in houses or buildings

wheel or ray method

small, circular scenes

spiral method

move inward or outward, best with no barriers

How many people are assigned to collecting evidence?

1

how many times is evidence packed?

2

Chain of Custody

written record of who had evidence

Medical Examiner’s Responsibilities

• identify deceased

• time and date of death

• cause of death

• manner of death

• notify next of kin